Chapter Text
Juntae is nervous. He feels like he’s shaking, and he probably is. He’s out of town, far away from home, with Seongje, and no one knows about it. He told his parents he’s going on a camping trip with his friends, and he told his friends he’s visiting family out of town.
And sure, he knows he’s not in any danger, but he’s still nervous.
When he kissed Seongje, he wasn’t really sure if he would be kissed back. He hoped Seongje felt the same as him. Or at least like him enough to kiss him back. But it seemed Seongje’s feelings were stronger than he ever imagined, kissing him like a man starved.
Soengje wanted him. Juntae. Juntae, who can’t fight. Juntae, who’s weak. Juntae, who still blushes thinking about that kiss. He still can’t believe it.
They hadn't done anything more than kiss that night. As soon as Soengje tried to go further than that, moving Juntae closer and closer on his lap, his side wound started to bleed again. Despite what Seongje claimed, making out while bleeding is not hot.
But now Seongje is all healed up. The wounds turned into scars, and he seems unable to keep his hands and mouth to himself any time Juntae is close enough to be grabbed and pulled closer.
And it was Juntae’s idea to go on a trip and spend some time away from school, fights, and all the people who try to beat Soengje into some sort of… person that’s not Seongje.
When he proposed it, with no confidence Seongje would accept the offer—he lives for those fights after all—Seongje's eyes lit up with a new flame, and his grin got so big Juntae started to worry about his face.
Juntae mentioned going on a trip together, as they were lazing on the couch, half watching a movie, and Seongje, despite not glancing at the screen for the past forty minutes, hit pause. That should have been a sign. Juntae didn’t know what he was signing up for until they arrived, and a ‘Hot Spring Private Resort' stared at him in the face.
In hindsight, he didn’t think this through at all.
Seongje is checking them at the small resort reception, stating that since he was the one to choose this place and ended up reserving it behind Juntae's back, it’s only right for him to pay. Juntae doesn’t remember if he ever paid for anything while being with Seongje. He wonders how much money he actually has.
The resort is one of the more traditional ones, with natural springs scattered around the area. One of the smaller hot springs was located near their cabin, which is at the back of the resort. Seongje claims coincidence. Juntae doesn’t believe him even for a second.
At the beginning, he was worried. Hot springs mean being naked. Being close while being naked. And sure, they do share a bed, but not while being naked. Seongje sleeps with boxers only, but Juntae always has Seongje’s shirt on too. Simply because he loves seeing Seongje’s face when he sees him in one.
He has four of Seongje’s shirts in his bag.
He worries his bottom lip with his teeth, trying to think of what will happen during this trip. Is Seongje going to kiss him as soon as the door to their little cabin closes behind them? Is he going to… to ask for more as soon as they get inside? Will he want Juntae to… to do something?
Juntae did extensive research, trying to learn as much as he could so Soengje won’t be disappointed in him, but it only made his worries worse. Seongje is the first person he kissed. Seongje will be Juntae’s first everything. What if Seongje won’t like that he’s inexperienced?
His mangas didn’t help him either. He couldn’t find any advice that would help. He took his favourite—the one that makes him blush, and he only read when no one is home—with him anyway. Just in case.
He shortly considered asking Sieun for advice. He saw him and Suho enough times to know how close they got since Suho woke up. And based on their… interactions, he guesses Sieun is in the same position Juntae would be soon.
But asking Sieun means Suho would hear about it, and Suho cannot keep his mouth shut even if his life depends on it. If Baku or Gotak even hear about it, they will tie him up to Baku’s room radiator, and he will never be allowed to leave.
Being friends with Seongje is one thing. Being in a relationship with Seongje is another. At least Juntae think they are in a relationship. They haven’t said it, but they kiss all the time. Juntae slept at Seongje’s place more times than he can count. He already has a drawer there. It’s half filled with Seongje’s shirts Juntae stole for himself, but the drawer is still his.
There is a hand on his lower back that makes him jump slightly, too, in his head to hear Seongej coming back.
“Why is your face so red, bunny?” He grins down at Juntae. “The sun is not strong enough for that.”
Juntae looks away and presses his hands to his cheeks. He hasn’t even realised. He shakes his head and smiles at Seongje. “Doesn’t matter. Let's go.”
Seongje looks at him like he knows exactly what he was thinking, but instead of dropping some teasing comment, he just pulls him closer and leads him to their cabin through a small path.
He’s very conscious of Soengje’s hand on him, but instead of focusing on it, he looks around. He originally planned to go to the beach, but Soengje claimed he knew a better place, and Juntae started to believe him.
They are not in the middle of the woods, but far enough not to see or hear any passing cars. The air is fresh, smelling slightly of pine trees and flowers. There is a constant hum of water from the hot spring somewhere off the main path.
The atmosphere of it all makes Juntae relax.
Sure, Seongje isn’t the nicest person Juntae has met. He’s arrogant and loud about it, and he might be sometimes considered a dick, but never towards Juntae.
He does tease him often, but he’s not mean about it, and Juntae likes it. He likes him like that.
He has nothing to worry about.
Sure, Seongje might be considered a dick, and an obnoxious asshole, or even a madman or lunatic—all used by Baku quite a lot—but he’s never like that with Juntae.
He does tease Juntae a fair bit, but in a way that makes Juntae feel butterflies in his stomach. It’s the… loving type of teasing. Juntae suspects that Sonegje just likes to see him blush.
It’s nothing Juntae isn’t used to.
Juntae’s internal debate is cut short with the soft click of a lock. He got lost in thought somewhere between admiring the view and his affection for Seongje. But now that he’s back to reality, the nervousness that disappeared returns in full force. Possibly even more so.
Juntae swallows heavily as he enters the cabin. It’s nice. Almost all wood, with a soft-looking coach and armchair and dark green carpets. There are some books on the shelf at the back that most likely no one ever touches.
There are three sets of doors. The one on the right, already open, shows the view of a semi-modern kitchen. The other two must be for a bathroom and a bedroom.
And even though Juntae knows Seongje will never do something to harm or even embarrass him, even though he knows he’s more than safe and free of judgment when he’s with Seongje, he still hesitates.
He can’t even guess what would happen once they are in the same room as a big comfy bed—because Juntae doesn’t doubt even for a second that Seongje would choose a cabin with the most luxurious bed imaginable—and he’s worried.
Seongje doesn’t seem to share his sentiment at all because he reaches around Juntae to open the bedroom doors before gently pushing him inside.
Juntae lets himself be led towards the bed, pushes to sit on the edge and then watches as Soengje drops their bags in the corner to be unpacked later.
Visibly deeming it ready, Seongje glances at Juntae with a grin before stalking closer. He stops inches away, between Juntae’s legs and just watches him for a minute.
Juntae kills the desire to fight—he doesn’t want to seem nervous—and returns the look.
After a moment, Seongje huffs with what Juntae would consider (being soft for someone) and cups Juntae’s face with his hand. He runs his thumb over Juntae's cheekbone before bending and placing a soft kiss on Juntae’s lips.
Juntae sighs softly, always happy to share a kiss, but before he can pull Sonegje closer and deepen the kiss, he leans back.
“Let’s go check out the city, hm? It’s almost time for lunch, and you haven’t eaten anything today yet.”
Before Juntae has even a chance to protest, Sonegje is gone.
“Huh?”
***
The city is beautiful. Juntae doesn’t have any other words to describe it. It’s small and cute, with pastel buildings, open-door restaurants and tiny shops hidden between them. It’s something taken straight out of Juntae’s manga. He never wants to leave.
Juntae isn't even aware of how long he has been dragging Soengje from shop to shop, filling his hands with snacks and sweets—mostly sweets—while Seongje follows him without complaint, wallet always ready in hand.
Seongje doesn’t seem to mind either. Sure, he rolls his eyes and scoffs from time to time, but Juntae knows him well enough to know it’s for a facade, and that he secretly enjoys being fed sweet treats with Juntae’s own hands.
“How about we go to that lunch?” Seongje pulls Juntae’s hand to stop him from running towards another shop. Juntae glances at it briefly. He didn't even realise they were holding hands. “Those sweets won’t last you forever, and I would rather not have you starve to death on our getaway.”
Juntae sighs, and it’s enough of an answer for Soengje, who starts to lead them down the road.
“Just so you know.” Juntae swats their hands between them with a smile. “The sweets would be more than enough. Did you see how big that chocolate was?
They are walking towards a restaurant that Seongje must have chosen even before they left for the resort, when a colourful storefront catches his attention. Technically, it’s not that different from any other colourful store; the city is full of them after all, but the fluffy keychains are new.
Seongje doesn't even pretend to resist Juntae's pull in that direction, and he doesn't miss the smile on his face he gets in return. Juntae latches onto the wall of keychains as soon as they are within his reach. Seongje stops somewhere behind him, looking at the fluffy keychains with a polite indifference. Maybe a grimace or two when he sees obnoxiously pink ones. But he doesn’t say anything. Not if it will make Juntae stop smiling like that. His old self would shudder just thinking about this Seongje. He can't bring himself to care.
Seongje doesn't really register them. Not at first. He’s too busy looking at the obnoxious shapes of cheap fur they call keychains that Juntae piles on his fingers to notice.
But the idiots get louder, filled with bravery from Soengje's lack of reaction. He shifts slightly, trying to decide on what to do. He promised Juntae a nice trip; fighting wasn’t really on the agenda.
“I hope the fucking is worth the trouble.” Seongje watches them laugh at the comment. They keep sending Soengje and Juntae glances followed by laughter.
Seongje cracks his neck in annoyance, hoping Juntae is too busy choosing the perfect keychain to hear them.
“And the keychains? What, is he a girl?” The other one says, quickly followed by laughter.
Seongje sends them a glare, and they are quiet for a moment before regaining the fake bravery. They carry themselves as the kings of the city, but Seongje can tell they are barely on the ladder. He had enough experience to recognise it.
The third guy in the group elbows his friend. “Maybe he is, look at his face, good enough for a blowjob.”
Seongje shifts, losing patience at the same moment Juntae pulls on his jacket. Seongje’s eyes snap toward him, only to be met with a beaming smile.
Juntae raises his hand with two small keychains dangling from his fingers. One of them is a bunny, with a light pink, almost white fur and a darker pink nose and inside the ears. The other one is a dark grey wolf, with a stitched wide smile and white teeth.
He rubs his thumbs over the soft material of the bunny’s stomach, and he can’t really stop the smile that forces itself on his face.
“Look at that, bunny. It looks like you.” He grins.
Juntae’s smile grows, and a light blush covers his cheeks. Seongje wants to bite into them.
“They are so cute, right?” Juntae exclaims. He picks up the wolf keychain and presses it to Seongje’s cheek. “It’s you!”
Seongje sends Juntae an unimpressed look that only makes Juntae laugh. There was no heat behind it, and Junntae knew it.
“If you say so.” Seongje allows. “Ready to pay then?” He reaches for his wallet, but Juntae pushes his hand away.
“I want to pay for it.”
“But I always pay.”
“And he fucking pays for everything!”
Juntae nods. “That’s why I want to pay. It’s a gift!”
“That’s a gift? What a loser.”
“You don’t have to, bunny. I’m happy to pay for it.” Soengje says as calmly as he can while ignoring the litany of insults towards him and Juntae. Mostly Juntae.
“Seongje,” Juntae whines, followed by why too loud “At least he sounds like a whore”, from behind him.
Seongje fakes a smile. “Alright. Go and pay. I will wait here.”
As soon as Juntae disappears inside the shop, Sonegje turns towards the group. He was planning to be a good boyfriend. Someone romantic that deserves Juntae and his smile, kindness, kisses and soft skin, Sonegje wants to bite into.
But they are asking for it, and who would Seongje be if he didn’t give it to them?
The first punch lands in the middle of some insult Seongje doesn’t bother to listen to. The guy falls backwards with a shot of surprise. Seongje doesn't follow that either; he’s already turning and aiming his fist at the second guy's face. It lands with a crunch and a stream of blood. Before he has a chance to stumble, Seongje shifts his feet and kicks the last guy in the ribs. There is another crunch that makes Seongje grin.
He was prepared for a fight, but none of the guys were even trying to fight back. They are all looking at him from the ground with wide eyes.
In the corner of his eye, he can see Juntae leaving the shop, stopping right at the entrance. He knows he should stop, go back and apologize but he can’t.
‘Like a whore’ is ringing in his ears, and he knows he should be better. He knows. But he can’t get rid of the insult from his head. Juntae doesn’t deserve that.
He doesn’t even register when the sole of his shoe meets the face of the guy. It crunches when his nose is broken. Seongje grins. He raises his leg to smash the guy's face again, but a hand on his arm stops him.
When he looks down, Juntae is looking at him with big, innocent eyes. “Seongje-ah.” He says softly. “Let’s go eat.”